Well I do agree that cat poo is pretty smelly and I feed the birds myself. Note on collars though my two, and most other cats I know just seem to be able to get the bells off in about 10 minutes! If anyone knows a way to keep them on or can recommend a good brand?
We are all delighted to see that Hostafan is back in business and has finally managed to give us a real practical advice to the cat problem. I think a £10 bonus for his gardening found is in order. There are some cats that would be very unhappy if you kept them indoors, particularly cats that have lived on the streets. If cats that have been born to mothers that weren't owned, and their mothers taught them how to hunt, they will probably carry on wanting to hunt, and will hunt given the opportunity, for the rest of their lives. If you shut one of those cats up then they are likely to get pretty stressed and start developing health issues. However for some cats, for example those with a disability or medical problem, living indoors could be a better option, and they may feel more comfortable. So keeping your cat indoors is not an option adapted to ALL cats. Now for those that think that cats can be managed in the same way as dogs the answer is no. If you had ever visited a zoo you will see for example that elephants are not managed in the same way as parrots. Crocodiles do not have the same needs as chimpanzees. This is because there are different species with different needs. Same for cats and dogs. So walking your cat on a leash or even confining your cat in a small garden will not work in all cases and again some cats may find it very stressful. As to fencing your property this can only be an option if you own your own property. Unfortunately buying a house is not as easy as it was once and many millennials will simply never be able to afford one. So what do we do, do we stop all the people renting having cats lol? As to put very high fences around your property, I think this is the most ridiculous idea ever. Britain would look like a giant prison if all the cat owners were to put hight fence and wire around their properties. I live in a protected area and in my street we pretty much are all cat owners. My neighbor who owns a sumptuous thatched roof listed cottage also has 2 kitty cats. I would love to see what his property built in 1640 would look like with such hight fences. I bet that would also make the council very happy. Let not forget as well that hight fences already have a negative impact on wildlife (hedgehog for example) So when I read comments from people who pretend to be wildlife advocates asking for all cat owners to barricade their garden it really does not make much sense to me.
Another observation I've made from reading through is the advocation of super soakers to scoosh kat kryptonite at the offending moggy. Surely this only works if you are actually in your garden at the time? What about when you are not actually there?
Let not forget as well that hight fences already have a negative impact on wildlife (hedgehog for example) So when I read comments from people who pretend to be wildlife advocates asking for all cat owners to barricade their garden it really does not make much sense to me.
Barricading a garden where a cat lives and it risks being predated can only be better for wildlife surely? Cats kill baby hedgehogs so its a win-win.
Many rented properties prohibit pet ownership, so why not?
Not all circumstances allow fences with inward facing wire to be erected, much as not all dogs need to be kept in secure gardens. But many do allow it, and could easily be adapted to it. But is it not better that changing the general attitude could only be beneficial for wildlife and other peoples gardens. If people wanting to own cats were aware of the responsibilities and costs involved in keeping it in their own garden then they would make a decision accordingly, just as owners of other pets do.
Overall for me it comes back to the simple principle, does your wish to own a free roaming cat have more importance than my wish to not have your cat in my garden.
To Aureliecelerier, I would never allow cats in a rented house of mine. Like cigarette smoke, it is impossible to get the smell of cats out. I can usually tell at the first step whether a cat lives in the house or has previously lived there. Very VERY unpleasant smell.
And again an ignorant inflammatory comment. No not all houses with cats smell and certainly not mine. My house always smells fresh and is sparklingly clean. I mean why the hell would you post such a terrible comment online?
There are some cats that would be very unhappy if you kept them indoors, particularly cats that have lived on the streets. If cats that have been born to mothers that weren't owned, and their mothers taught them how to hunt, they will probably carry on wanting to hunt, and will hunt given the opportunity, for the rest of their lives. If you shut one of those cats up then they are likely to get pretty stressed and start developing health issues.
My lurcher was rescued from Ireland.. found full of mange, chasing cattle around some farmers field. I'm certain he would love to "carry on hunting" whatever it was he caught to survive then. According to your logic, I should allow him to continue hunting and roaming unchecked.. otherwise risk his mental health?
If you can't control your animal (cat, dog, lama, etc).. then don't own one. Be a responsible pet owner.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There are some cats that would be very unhappy if you kept them indoors, particularly cats that have lived on the streets. If cats that have been born to mothers that weren't owned, and their mothers taught them how to hunt, they will probably carry on wanting to hunt, and will hunt given the opportunity, for the rest of their lives. If you shut one of those cats up then they are likely to get pretty stressed and start developing health issues.
However for some cats, for example those with a disability or medical problem, living indoors could be a better option, and they may feel more comfortable.
So keeping your cat indoors is not an option adapted to ALL cats.
Now for those that think that cats can be managed in the same way as dogs the answer is no. If you had ever visited a zoo you will see for example that elephants are not managed in the same way as parrots. Crocodiles do not have the same needs as chimpanzees. This is because there are different species with different needs. Same for cats and dogs. So walking your cat on a leash or even confining your cat in a small garden will not work in all cases and again some cats may find it very stressful.
As to fencing your property this can only be an option if you own your own property. Unfortunately buying a house is not as easy as it was once and many millennials will simply never be able to afford one. So what do we do, do we stop all the people renting having cats lol? As to put very high fences around your property, I think this is the most ridiculous idea ever. Britain would look like a giant prison if all the cat owners were to put hight fence and wire around their properties. I live in a protected area and in my street we pretty much are all cat owners. My neighbor who owns a sumptuous thatched roof listed cottage also has 2 kitty cats. I would love to see what his property built in 1640 would look like with such hight fences. I bet that would also make the council very happy.
Let not forget as well that hight fences already have a negative impact on wildlife (hedgehog for example) So when I read comments from people who pretend to be wildlife advocates asking for all cat owners to barricade their garden it really does not make much sense to me.
Many rented properties prohibit pet ownership, so why not?
Not all circumstances allow fences with inward facing wire to be erected, much as not all dogs need to be kept in secure gardens. But many do allow it, and could easily be adapted to it. But is it not better that changing the general attitude could only be beneficial for wildlife and other peoples gardens. If people wanting to own cats were aware of the responsibilities and costs involved in keeping it in their own garden then they would make a decision accordingly, just as owners of other pets do.
Overall for me it comes back to the simple principle, does your wish to own a free roaming cat have more importance than my wish to not have your cat in my garden.
If you can't control your animal (cat, dog, lama, etc).. then don't own one. Be a responsible pet owner.